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The Biden Administration’s energy policies are negatively impacting U.S. energy independence and the energy security of our allies, especially those European countries that would choose the U.S. if they had a choice but are being pressured by Russia. This is because President Joe Biden has politicized energy policy, indefinitely halting future liquefied natural gas (LNG) export infrastructure projects.
Republicans on the House Oversight Committee recently grilled Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about her decision to halt LNG exports. They pressed her on when the ban will end and whether the Department of Energy has yet to determine whether exporting LNG to allies around the world is in the public interest. To me, the answer is clear: with this ban, the administration is effectively giving a huge advantage to one of the world’s most evil dictators, President Putin of Russia.
Russia has long used its energy resources as a geopolitical weapon to extract money from Europe by threatening to limit or even cut off natural gas exports to Europe, often leaving its allies defenseless and unable to resist Russian aggression for fear of triggering an energy crisis at home.
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Concerns about Europe’s reliance on Russian energy grew after Russia invaded Ukraine. As the war began, the Biden administration pleaded with the energy industry to help Europe. With the election approaching, that’s no longer politically advantageous for them.
Biden is restricting liquefied natural gas infrastructure projects that will hurt the U.S. and its allies and encourage Europe to rely on Russia. FILE: Cheniere Energy Corp. liquefaction facility in Corpus Christi Bay in Portland, Texas, Feb. 19, 2021. (Eddie Seale/Bloomberg)
But the not-so-hidden secret remains that Europe is still importing Russian LNG, which is indirectly funding Putin’s wars. Mocking all infrastructure development for LNG exports would not only overwhelm European allies in the short term, but it would also squander a major opportunity to stop Europe from importing energy from Russia for good, playing right into Putin’s hands.
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To make matters worse, it is clear that the government’s decision to suspend LNG exports is politically motivated ahead of the presidential elections. This is all to appeal to the environmental left as November approaches. This decision to “suspend” LNG permits is a clear attempt to win votes from this demographic.
But this political maneuver could come at a high cost, and backfire for Biden in pro-energy battleground states like Pennsylvania. Indeed, the moratorium drew a surprisingly tepid response from the state’s Democratic senators. In a joint statement, Pennsylvania’s Democratic senator, John Fetterman, said Biden’s decision “puts Pennsylvania energy jobs at risk.”
Newly independent West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin rightly criticized this approach, saying it was “absurd to suggest that government action is creating new kinds of grid risk rather than preventing risk.”
Concerns about Europe’s reliance on Russian energy grew after Russia invaded Ukraine. As the war began, the Biden administration pleaded with the energy industry to help Europe. With the election approaching, that’s no longer politically advantageous for them.
When it comes to energy policy, Manchin has always been pretty spot on: A comprehensive strategy is essential. The administration’s reluctance to invest in reliable sources of energy, like proven oil and gas and innovative small modular reactors, is holding us back.
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Instead, Biden is focusing exclusively on renewable energy, which is welcome as part of an all-of-above approach but cannot be relied upon to maintain a stable grid. Reliable baseload energy includes natural gas and nuclear power (including investments in small modular reactors).
The Biden Administration’s failure will have real consequences for the American people. Texans do not want to experience another emergency like last summer’s heatwave-induced blackouts, which led to many deaths. The Administration must recognize the need for a balanced energy policy with baseload power sources that boost domestic energy production and ensure national and international energy security.
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